Faculty Advisor(s)
Orley A. Templeton
Files
Abstract
This quality improvement capstone project embodied a multifaceted approach to supporting the infant and early childhood populations at a local pediatric outpatient clinic. The capstone project endeavors were guided by the theoretical underpinnings of the literature and results of in-depth needs assessments. The themes that emerged from the systematic review of the literature, which involved the efficacy of parent education programs in increasing parental knowledge and competence in supporting their child's physical and emotional development, were seamlessly integrated into the program. Evidence-based practice, principles of early intervention, and preventative care were used at the clinic to support infant and early childhood development, facilitate caregiver education and training, and connect families to community resources at the local pediatric outpatient clinic. Advanced, family-centered clinical treatments such as infant massage, infant bodywork, infant communication, sleep promotion, feeding therapy, and positioning and handling were implemented to promote pediatric development at the clinic. The primary focus of advocating for and supporting the needs of the infant-maternal and paternal population were also shaped by current barriers to care and deficits in parent education opportunities. Therefore, this capstone project maintained a strong emphasis on clinical practice skills, program development, advocacy, and education to optimize pediatric development at a local pediatric outpatient clinic.
Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Poster
Department
Occupational Therapy
Keywords
pediatric development, infant massage, caregiver training, caregiver knowledge, caregiver competence
Disciplines
Education | Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Mills, Rachel N., "Promoting Optimal Pediatric Development" (2025). Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025. 4.
https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/otd_capstone2025/4